Rope-clamp.



' P. J. HAMPBL.

ROPE CLAMP.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 21,1903.

921,241 Patented May 11,1909.

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FREDRIOK J. HAMPEL, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ROPE-CLAMP.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FnEDnIoK J. HAMPEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Im provements in Rope-Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rope clamps, and consists in certain improvements in the construction thereof as will be hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the claim.

The object of the invention is to provide a rope clamp which is especially adapted for use with clothes lines to which the line may be readily attached, and which will lock the rope against movement by ull in either direction, so that if a line brez {S at one side of the clamp, the rope at the opposite side of the clamp will be retained in position.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as follows:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the clamp. Fig. 2 a side elevation. Fig. 3 a section on the line S3 in Fig. 1.

1 marks the base of the clamp. This is secured to any convenient post by means of the screws 3. The pivot pin 4 is secured to the base 1, and extends outwardly and upwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The clamp plate 5 has the serrations 6 on its face, the serrations at one side being pointed to engage a rope for pull in one direction, and those at the opposite side to secure a rope against pull in the opposite direction. The plate has the ears 7 which are arranged on the pin 4, and form a pivotal connection therewith, so that the plate may be swung thereon. The plate is of sufficient length to prevent its turning entirely around on pin, contact with the base preventing this. This pin 4 is preferably secured only at the bottom so that the clamp is open at the top, thus permitting the hooking of a line over it. The lower ear or lug 7 is Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 21, 1908.

Patented May 11, 1909.

Serial No. 434,072.

somewhat longer than the upper one, and the base 1 is slightly inclined to the pin 4, so that the opening between the base and the plate 5 is wedge shaped, thus adapting the clamp for different sizes of rope, and permitting the pulling of the rope into the wedged shaped opening, so that it is crowded in the space before the clamping action due to the turning of the plate takes place. It will be apparent that to pull on the rope on one side of the plate will so turn the plate as to bring the edge of the plate at the opposite side of the pin 4 against the rope, so as to clamp the rope between the face of the plate and the base.

I prefer to secure the pin 4 to a comparatively thin base plate 1, and to form the base plate of metal having at least some elasticity, so that as the rope is pulled into the wedged shaped space, the plate 1 is by reason of the pressure of the rope sprung to some extent and pulled under tension. This spring action gives. an initial clamping action to the device, and assures a sufficient grip on the rope to accomplish the turning of the plate 5 as the rope is pulled, so as to further clamp the rope.

What I claim as new is:

In a rope clamp, the combination of a base; a pivot pin secured thereto and aplate pivotally mounted on the pin, the plate being be tween the pin and the base and having an opening between the base and the plate at the top, and forming a wedged shaped space between the plate and the base the larger end of the opening being at the top.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FREDRICK J. HAMPEL.

Witnesses J. D. MGLAUGHLIN, H. R. KANE. 

